Indy and Airtran in spitting match....

[LearLove]

http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/business/10940779.htm

Rival protests AirTran claim

Independence Air says Charlotte already has a low-fare carrier

TONY MECIA
Staff Writer

Hey, who you calling a high-fare carrier?

Independence Air on Friday said it will "consider legal action" against AirTran Airways, after AirTran sent out a news release proclaiming AirTran as the "only low-fare carrier serving Charlotte." A banner at Charlotte/Douglas International Airport on Thursday made the same claim.

Independence Air, considered by most in the industry to be a low-fare carrier, started flights to Charlotte from its Washington hub in October. Fares to its hub are as low as $118 round-trip, the same price AirTran is charging to its hubs in Atlanta and Baltimore.

"We still don't know whether they have made this error out of ignorance or dishonesty, but either way, it's completely unacceptable to us, and absolutely untrue," said Independence spokesman Rick DeLisi.

In response, AirTran spokesman Tad Hutcheson implied that Independence will not be around in the future, a concern shared by some industry analysts because its expenses have been higher than its revenues.

Hutcheson said: "In order to offer low fares long-term, you have to be a low-cost carrier. We are a low-cost carrier and can offer low fares."

 

[LearLove]

Yeah but now U is a low fare carrier (or soon to be) so we're gonna sue all of you. Hows them apples.

 

[General Lee]

One less codeshare opportunity for Airtran..... They sure are making friends...?



Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[717pilot]

There he is again...running his mouth off....

 

[General Lee]

There he is again...running his mouth off....

I thought it was quite funny. Isn't that great when you can laugh by yourself at the computer? Maybe that is kinda sad.....


Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[ultrarunner]

One less codeshare opportunity for Airtran..... They sure are making friends...?



Bye Bye--General Lee

A would-be code share partner will whore themselves to anyone, IMO. It's strictly about the money.

 

[MickeySlapnutz]

"We still don't know whether they have made this error out of ignorance or dishonesty, but either way, it's completely unacceptable to us, and absolutely untrue," said Independence spokesman Rick DeLisi-24Feb 2005

"For 2004, FLYi reported a preliminary loss of $192.2 million, or $4.24 a diluted share, reversing a 2003 profit of $82.8 million, or $1.82 a share. It is this 2004 loss that may widen if the company records an added impairment charge as a result of its analysis."

"I still don't know whether FLYi made this error out of ignorance or dishonesty, but either way, it's completely unacceptable to me, and absolutely untrue," said MickeySlapnutz 24 Feb 2005

 

[717pilot]

(TV show GUNSMOKE music in the background) (2 people dueling)

"Marshall Dillion...Marshall Dillion....The General. ... .... .He got me......He got me.....

 

[General Lee]

A would-be code share partner will whore themselves to anyone, IMO. It's strictly about the money.

It is a good way to make money when you may not be able to fill a full airplane at that city. But, there is a limit to the number of codeshares you want to be in. You could have a virtual airline, only seats on other airlines---none of your own. I bet airline CEOs are looking into that for cheaper labor costs.....


Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[717pilot]

General..thats true...Bye the way wheres SNAKE. Oh down the hole...LOL!!

 

[75M]

One less codeshare opportunity for Airtran..... They sure are making friends...?

GL, we do make friends we call them passengers and they show their friendship in repeat business. Why would they do this? Because we offer them a consistent product, that's why. If somebody buys a ticket on AirTran, they're gonna get on a jet that they can stand up in while enjoying the added benefit of being able to bring their bag on the airplane with them. Additionally, we are the only airline with Business Class on EVERY flight, not to mention the fact that when somebody buys a ticket on AirTran, they're actually buying a ticket on...AirTran!

Let me ask you this, How many "friends" do you think Delta makes when somebody buys a ticket that says "Delta Air Lines" on the ticket and they show up at the airport only to see an ATR waiting for them, or when have to suffer through a 2:30 flight on a C-RJ?

Good airplanes, and I'm not knocking the Comair or ASA guys, but I am saying this...Quality is defined in the manufacturing world as the ability to meet or exceed expectations. The best way to do this is to offer a consistent product while striving for continuous improvement.

Selling tickets on another airline doesn't win friends but it does influence people. It influences them to look for another airline.

 

[General Lee]

GL, we do make friends we call them passengers and they show their friendship in repeat business. Why would they do this? Because we offer them a consistent product, that's why. If somebody buys a ticket on AirTran, they're gonna get on a jet that they can stand up in while enjoying the added benefit of being able to bring their bag on the airplane with them. Additionally, we are the only airline with Business Class on EVERY flight, not to mention the fact that when somebody buys a ticket on AirTran, they're actually buying a ticket on...AirTran!

Let me ask you this, How many "friends" do you think Delta makes when somebody buys a ticket that says "Delta Air Lines" on the ticket and they show up at the airport only to see an ATR waiting for them, or when have to suffer through a 2:30 flight on a C-RJ?

Good airplanes, and I'm not knocking the Comair or ASA guys, but I am saying this...Quality is defined in the manufacturing world as the ability to meet or exceed expectations. The best way to do this is to offer a consistent product while striving for continuous improvement.

Selling tickets on another airline doesn't win friends but it does influence people. It influences them to look for another airline.

You know, I was being sarcastic. I am not that stupid. You are really wound up tight. Take an ex-lax and sit on the can please. Good, consistant service, huh? Is this after the Ryan A320s left and the CRJs from Airwhisky? You have always had consistant service? Riiiight. Well, ok then. And, a lot of those so called "friends" of yours, who like the lower priced walk up fares, will be coming over to our house--since we can offer them a free trip to Honolulu or St. Lucia after flying with us a bunch. About the same fares, and free trips to nice exotic places. Sounds good to me. I am sure you guys have great service, but we offer something else that people like---options.


Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[NYRANGERS]

Let me ask you this, How many "friends" do you think Delta makes when somebody buys a ticket that says "Delta Air Lines" on the ticket and they show up at the airport only to see an ATR waiting for them, or when have to suffer through a 2:30 flight on a C-RJ?


Selling tickets on another airline doesn't win friends but it does influence people. It influences them to look for another airline.

We lost a lot of money over the past few years....However we did manage to get 9,109,626 "friends" in FY2004. We hope to make another few million in FY2005 to the tune of a $5-$10 more per seat. A potential $910,962,600 + in increased revenue. Couple that with $1 billion in savings from the pilots, another $1 billion in reduced costs...maybe we can make some money and "friends" this decade.

One can only hope.

NYR

 

[Ty Webb]

Funny, General, but when I hear people talk about FF miles on Delta, it is seldom positive. It's usually because someone had the stupidity to raise the requirements when the planes were half empty anyway... and the other complaint I hear all the time is that the availability isn't there . . . . St. Lucia is great, but if it's only available in August, well, they'd rather save money year round on us, and use the savings to buy a ticket to go to St. Lucia in January.

 

[smellthejeta]

Hey General,

I hate to add little more than a "me too" on this thread, but SkyMiles have a reputation industry wide as being next to impossible to redeem. Yeah, there are "rule buster" awards, but those awards can get pretty pricey if you want to go to Europe first class. I can't speak to FL's FF program, but when it comes to WN, nothing beats their program wrt to flexibility and expectations. Seat availabe for purchase? It's yours to redeem with no fine print.

 

[islandhoper]

PLUS, I guess many haven't noticed, but Airtran's reward program offers a ticket to ANYWHERE in the world on ANY airline... So, our "friends" can save money the whole year on us and then travel to St. Lucia on that same Delta flight where Delta costumers got blacked out...

I know, AirTran should advertise that program a little more...

 

[General Lee]

PLUS, I guess many haven't noticed, but Airtran's reward program offers a ticket to ANYWHERE in the world on ANY airline... So, our "friends" can save money the whole year on us and then travel to St. Lucia on that same Delta flight where Delta costumers got blacked out...

I know, AirTran should advertise that program a little more...

Well, we just added a second daily flight to HNL nonstop from ATL(2 daily 764s), and we have two daily to St.Thomas, 2 to San Jose Costa Rica, 3 to Cancun, 2 to Nassau, 5 to San Juan, one daily to St. Martaen, and a bunch others that probably can squeeze people in.


It's great that Airtran offers the World on other airlines. I am sure we will get some of that, and we probably appreciate it.


Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[FLB717]

I think it is great that GL has to push what Delta has over little ol' AirTran to feel better about DAL, or what ever bothers him. I think it is great that DAL flies all over, gives us routes to try. LOL

 

[brokea$$pilot]

Excessive Salaries At Airtran And Indy Air

Airtran And Indy Have A Huge Labor Cost Problem. The Pilots At Airtran Need To Take Paycuts To Match Indy Air's Crj Rates Then And Only Then Can U Compete. I Say All Fo's Should Top Out At $30,000 And Captains At $60,000. And As A Bonus No Benefits- Sounds Like The Future Of Most Airline Pilots!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!lol Lol

 

[General Lee]

I think it is great that GL has to push what Delta has over little ol' AirTran to feel better about DAL, or what ever bothers him. I think it is great that DAL flies all over, gives us routes to try. LOL

HAHAHHAHAHHAHA. Yeah, ok chief. I can't wait to see your planes flying to Rio, Honolulu, etc. Have fun and I will bring you back a pineapple. It seems like you are the one who is bothered. Have a great one in Flint.


Bye Bye--General Lee